Coping with COPD: Fostering a Caring Sexual Relationship with Your Partner

Once diagnosed with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), you may experience changes in all aspects of your life. This includes having the energy, desire, or ability to participate in sexual activity. However, according to WebMD, fostering a caring sexual relationship with your partner may benefit you.

That is because a sexual relationship is both physical and emotional. Expressing the love you have for your partner is a wonderful part of human nature and may help combat depression associated with lifestyle changes. Having COPD should not change that; however, it will require some changes.

The following suggestions may encourage and enhance intimacy:

• Be caring, loving, and honest, and talk openly with your partner about your feelings and concerns.
• Have realistic performance expectations. You might need to modify your sexual practices to decrease the energy required.
• Your medications might affect arousal and sexual performance. Talk to your healthcare provider about your concerns.
• Clear your bronchial secretions prior to engaging in sexual activity. This may lessen the severity of breathlessness during sex.
• Taking an inhaled bronchodilator before sexual activity is a good practice. The bronchodilator relaxes the air passages and improves breathing.
• If you use supplemental oxygen, plan on using the same amount during sexual activity.
• Have sex when you are rested and physically comfortable.
• Find different ways to show affection.

The amount of energy required to engage in sexual activity is similar to climbing about one or two flights of stairs or walking about one half mile at a brisk pace. If these are activities that you cannot perform without becoming tired or short of breath, be sure to speak with your doctor before participating in sexual activity.